Submissions
CURRENT SUBMISSION STATUS (UPDATED 08/31/2023): Stories: OPEN Art: OPEN
Fiction Submission Guidelines
We publish flash fiction in the genres of speculative fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, super hero, or any combination of these. We are looking for stories that are engaging to our readers in such a short word count. Please take note of these factors (pun intended) when submitting stories to us.
Accept Story Length: We accept stories up to 1,000 words.
Sexual Content & Language: We are okay with foul language and sexual activity within a story, provided it fits the story well. We do not publish erotica.
Manuscript Format: Please send a .doc, .docx, or .rtf. Please use 12 point Courier font, double spaced, with author information, and word count. If you want text to be bolded or in italics, please be sure it is in that format on your manuscript. (I.E. do not use underline to indicate italics, instead italicize the text. )
Multiple and Simultaneous Submission: We do not accept submissions that are pending a response at another publication. Once you have submitted a story to us, please do not submit that story to another market until you’ve heard back from us. Please send us just one story at a time. Once you’ve heard back on your submission you are welcome to send us another one. We do not have a cool down period for submissions. We will do our best to get back to you as quickly as possible.
Response Time: We currently average between 30 and 60 days to respond. We encourage our submitters report submissions to our magazine via The Submission Grinder where you can also see our current average response times. If, after 90 days you’ve not heard from back on your submission, please feel free to query with us by email at factorfourmag – at – gmail.com. Remember to check your SPAM folder.
Rights and Other Stuff: We require first print and electronic rights for your story. If your story has been published by someone else, or yourself, (even if you were never paid) then we will not publish it. No reprints unless specifically requested by us. Keep in mind that this includes publishing a story on your website, Patreon, or blog. We require exclusive rights for six months from the date of publication. Full details of rights can be found in the contract.
Sample Contract: (Click Here). Note this is a sample contract and subject to change. Always read any contract you execute carefully before signing.
Publication Language & Format: We publish in English each issue online. Our magazine is available worldwide. We typically publish a print and eReader anthology once per year.
Payment: Fiction is paid at a rate of eleven (11) U.S. cents per word based on our word processor’s word count and excludes title, author information, etc. Payments can be made by check or PayPal. Please note that PayPal has recently changed their policies around sending funds to business accounts. If you are using a PayPal business account, they may charge you fees that we cannot predict or avoid.
Inclusion: Factor Four Magazine wants diverse voices and believes that inclusion is important in publishing a speculative fiction magazine. We accept stories from any writer regardless of their identity. We also want to help readers find stories written by people they identify with. We have several “tags” that we can put on a story to help readers find these authors. Upon acceptance, authors are asked to voluntarily let us know which of these applies to them. This is 100% optional and only asked once the story is accepted.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): We do not accept submissions written, assisted by, or developed with AI writing programs, applications, tools or methods (such at, but not limited to, ChatGPT). We have a zero tolerance on this and as such you can be barred from submitting to us if you submit stories violating this policy.
Submission Process: Want to know the path your story takes once you submit it? Read about it here.
Submit: To submit your works of fiction, use this link to access our Submission Manager database. You can also log in here to track the status of your story.
Note: Our Submission Manager is now hosted at factor4magazine.com.
Cover Art Submissions
Factor Four Magazine is looking to purchase digital art for use as our covers for our monthly magazine. We are looking for artwork that has strong Science Fiction, Fantasy, Supernatural, or Superhero themes. To see samples of various artwork we’ve purchased in the past, look at our past issues.
Please note a few guidelines:
Sexual Content: Should be appropriate for genre fiction cover art.
Format: Our cover art is typically 6″w x 9″h for the issues. Once per year we will be looking for anthology coverart at that typically 13″w x 9″H. We need artwork in 300 dpi.
Rights and Other Stuff: We require non-exclusive rights to use your artwork for the cover of one issue of Factor Four Magazine. We require the rights to post artwork as a cover art for the issue on various social media platforms. Artwork must contain no copyrighted images, or images that the artist does not have the rights to use.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Factor Four Magazine is committed to using art work from human artists only. As such we are committing ourselves to not knowingly purchase AI-generated images or artwork that contains AI-generated images. By submitting to us, you are certifying that your artwork is AI-generated image free. We have a zero tolerance on this and as such you can be barred from submitting to us if you submit artwork violating this policy.
Payment: Artwork is paid at a rate of $200 per piece.
Submit: To submit your artwork, fill in the form below. Send a URL to your online gallery or specific images you wish to sell. We will review this regularly for selection.